Goal: To protest a recent vote to deny transgender people the right to amend their birth certificates.

Transgender people in the state of Tennessee face countless obstacles in their everyday lives, and changing their birth certificates to reflect their true sex is one of them. Thanks to the House Health and Human Resources Subcommittee, it is still against the law for transgender people to amend their birth certificates. Tell lawmakers in this committee that their vote against transgender people is unfair and unacceptable.

According to the bill’s sponsor, Democratic Representative Jeanne Richardson, Tennessee is the only state in all of America that will not allow transgender people to change their birth certificates after undergoing sex change operations. This poses risks to transgender people for a number of reasons. For one, if transgender people are in situations where birth certificates are required, they would essentially be forced to “out” themselves as transgender.

In Tennessee, transgender people face continued discrimination. For example, in a recent bill sponsored by State Representative Richard Floyd and Senator Bo Watson, residents would be ticketed $50 for using a restroom or dressing room that didn’t align with their gender. Though the bill failed to pass, transgender people who aren’t allowed to amend their birth certificates would have been targeted and penalized.

Representative Floyd called them “perverts” and threatened them with violence. He claimed he would “stomp him dry” if a transgender woman ever used a public facility with his wife or daughter.

It is obvious that transgender men and women in Tennessee are a long way from being fully safe in their home state. The House Health and Human Resources Subcommittee’s decision to vote down this bill was hateful and wrong. By signing the petition below, you will tell these lawmakers that the public will not stand for discrimination against the transgender community.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Tennessee House Health and Human Resources Subcommittee members,

Transgender people in the state of Tennessee are faced with discrimination and danger. Voting down a proposal that would allow transgender men and women to amend their birth certificates to reflect their true sex is harmful and terribly unfair. In a state known in recent months for hurtful legislation against LGBT people, this action only continues this pattern of discrimination.

The people in your state, especially LGBT people, deserve better than these biased, far-right tactics. Transgender people who have undergone sex changes should not be targeted and penalized. Tennessee remains the only state where it is illegal for transgender people to amend their birth certificates.

It is imperative that you end your attacks on LGBT people in Tennessee. Please commit to taking action immediately.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

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2 Comments

I just need to know how old this petition is. I have a friend from Tennessee who is currently trying to change her name and facing difficulties. I was asked to help her figure out the name change process, and came across this petition.